By Shola Adenekan
The soul icon, composer and producer Isaac Hayes, who has died aged 65, was an embodiment of black masculinity, who inspired many through his music. As a rising R&B star in the1960s and early 1970s, Hayes was an impressive and radical figure on and off the stage.
In his heydays, Hayes often dressed in cloak and floppy hat, he would throw these off to reveal a muscular frame clad in burgundy tights, fur cuffs and an almost gladiatorial vest of gold chains, a provocative reference to his African heritage. The ensemble was toped by beard, sunglasses and a bald pate, shaved “to let my head breathe”.
At a time of struggle by African Americans for civil rights, Hayes consciously cast himself as a confident and unrepentant Soul man.
Perhaps, Hayes‘ most enduring legacy was his seminal work, the theme song for the cult blaxploitation movie, Shaft. A refreshing blend of Hayes’ laid-back lover-man vocals, astounding back vocals and a funky wah-wah guitar arrangement, “The Theme From Shaft,” as the track was called, was released in 1971 by Stax Records. Hayes had wanted to play the Shaft character created by the writer and former New York Times editor, Ernest Tidyman, but the role instead was given to Richard Roundtree. Both men, the singer and the actor, became synonymous with black pride.